Dual-action decontamination filter and method
AssigneeAbTech Industries, Inc.
InventorRodolfo B. Manzone
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Hydrophobic polymer particles (e.g., granules or fragments) employed as filter media, e.g., for filtering runoff water, include an antimicrobial compound on exterior surfaces and can reduce proliferation of microbial organisms as well as sorb chemical contaminants from the water. By employing this dual decontamination action, filter systems employing such particles can improve the quality of runoff water (or other contaminated water streams) and reduce the risk presented by potentially harmful organisms.
Claims20
A method for fabricating media having contaminant-sorbent and antimicrobial properties, the method comprising:
- (a) irrigating a multitude of contaminant-sorbent polymer particles with a solution containing an antimicrobial compound;
- wherein
- (b) the antimicrobial compound and the polymer of the particles are reactive together;
- and
- (c) the polymer is substantially phobic to water and to the solution;
- whereby the antimicrobial compound grafts onto the polymer particles and, upon contact with water, the polymer particles sorb contaminants from the water and reduce proliferation of microbial organisms.
A fragment of filter media comprising:
- (a) an oil-sorbent, hydrophobic copolymer in a matrix of compliant, hydrophobic, olefinic polymer;
- and
- (b) an antimicrobial compound grafted to the copolymer and polymer;
- whereby the fragment is capable of both sorbing oil from surrounding water and reducing proliferation of microbial organisms.
A filter system comprising:
- (a) a multitude of irregular, macroscopic fragments comprised of an oil-sorbent, hydrophobic copolymer in a matrix of compliant, hydrophobic polymer;
- (b) an antimicrobial compound grafted to the fragments;
- and
- (c) a filter module supporting the fragments adjacent to an aperture;
- whereby the filter system is capable:
- of both sorbing oil from water passing into contact with the fragments via the aperture and reducing proliferation of microbial organisms.
A method for improving chemical and biological purity of a water stream containing contaminants, the method comprising directing flow of the water stream through interstices of a multitude of irregular, macroscopic fragments that:
- (a) are hydrophobic but sorbent of the contaminants;
- and
- (b) have antimicrobial compound on their surfaces;
- whereby one or more targeted contaminants are sorbed from the water and proliferation of microbial organisms is reduced.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.